Reader: I just wanted to tell you that
I was really surprised at all the nega-
tive comments that were made con-
cerning the new format.
From day one, I found the new size
totally easier to handle. The expanded
TV section is awesome, and I find the
print extremely easy to read. And this
comes from a person who sometimes
uses a magnifying glass to read direc-
tions. I really prefer the magazine-size
papers as far as handling goes, but I
am not going to complain about what
you are doing about the smaller size.  
As for the comics, I will leave that for
another day.
Thank you.
— Norma Schmidt

Reader: Since you have agreed to
list Speed Channel again, please,
please also list Travel Channel! This is
the most important listing for my
household.
— Linda Cohen

Reader: I want to complain about
the new format. The printing in the
classified ads and the TVsection is so
small you can’t hardly read it. In most
cases it’s blurred. The printing isn’t
clear. The printing in the majority of
the paper is way too small. If you can’t
read it, there’s no sense in keeping
your subscription.
— Mrs. Neff

Reader: I’m not happy with the new
format of The Californian because of
the smaller print. For older people, it
makes it more difficult to read. I don’t
know if that was a consideration
before, but I’m finding that I cannot
read the paper as easily as I used to
when you had the larger pages. Maybe
I’m wrong, but there are some things I
can’t find. Maybe they’re just in
another location which is also a prob-
lem, but I am not happy with it. Thank
you very much.
— Leah Garthoffner

Reader: I’m very fortunate. I retired
early. I’m 60 years old. Our favorite
thing to do in the morning is to come
out on the patio, have coffee and read
the paper. We sincerely enjoy the
Cryptoquip. It takes a little brain
power.
We watch the funnies. The funnies
you put in were Sherman’s Lagoon,
Pearls Before Swine — we enjoyed
them. You saw fit to remove Sherman’s
Lagoon, but you left Retail, Brewster
Rockit and idiot cartoons aimed at
people who are brainless. I hope that
you can bring back Sherman’s
Lagoon.
— Mr. Bussard

Reader: I’m calling to comment on
the paper’s new size. I think it’s great.
It’s a lot easier to hold and handle.
— Jan Winchester

Reader: I will certainly miss Marvin;
it was one of my favorites. I used to cut
them out and mail them to my grand-
children. I would just like to ask that
when you do your survey that you
include it in your survey.
— Carolyn Bergman

Reader: I’m calling about the new
format of the newspaper which I like
fine. The only thing that I miss that I
really enjoyed was in the Weather sec-
tion. You used to have the high in the
nation and low in the nation for the
day before. If possible, I would like to
see you bring that back.
— Janet York

Reader: I just wanted you to know
we really enjoy and appreciate the
smaller paper. It’s so much easier to
read and the darker print is good for
our aging eyes.
Thank you so much.
— Ruby Tyree

Reader: Love, love, love the new,
smaller newspaper. It’s so much easier
to handle. Thank you.
— Mary Cummings

Jenner: Thanks for all the com-
ments and suggestions about our
recent format change.
Although we reduced the width of
pages, we did not reduce the size of
our body type. And while we did
reduce the amount of spacing
between the classified ads, we did not
reduce the size of the type in classified
listings.
We’ve asked the company that pro-
duces our TVlistings to bump up the
size of type that appears in the grids,
and we’ve lightened the color tints
that appear over some of the boxes.
We will launch our next comics poll
on Sept. 7 in Eye
Street, and readers
may voice their
opinions on our
comics lineup,
and on Sherman’s Lagoon.
I appreciate every letter and call,
and we’ll consider implementing all
reasonable suggestions.
Thanks for taking the time to com-
ment.
■   ■   ■
Reader: Now every drunk in this
town will now “KNOW” it’s better for
them to just leave the scene of an acci-
dent, thanks to your article. Do you
really think this is smart reporting?
When the statistics start showing an
increase in “hit-and-run” accidents
next year, will you think twice about
your article?
I don’t believe this was a good idea
to write this article. Sure, it does get
me thinking and fired up about
increasing the punishment of leaving
the scene of an accident; and maybe
that was your point. But I guarantee
you there is probably a young college
kid who will one day find himself in
this situation; and now his chances of
staying at the scene are decreased
because he will now contemplate the
“easy route.”
Thank you,
—Rachelle Hunt

Jenner: By merely reporting any
crimes, we run the risk of encouraging
“copycat” behavior. In this case, we
reported on a problem that has been
around for years.
Few crimes are as reprehensible as
hit-and-run driving. It’s outrageous
that perpetrators often dodge the
punishment they’re due by fleeing the
scene.
Editors and the reporter discussed
in advance the possibility that some
readers would voice such objections if
we published this story.
But we felt it was important to
inform our readers about this prob-
lem. Ibelieve the likelihood of a sus-
pect fleeing the scene of an accident is
more dependent on their character
than what they may have read.
And we don’t do the community any
favors by ignoring real life.
■   ■   ■
Reader: I have always found Bak-
ersfield to be an extremely supportive
place to live, but I have to say that I am
absolutely amazed at the lack of
response and support from the public
and local media.
Bakersfield has, for the first time
ever, placed a baseball team in the Cal
Ripken League World Series in
Aberdeen, Md., but no one seems to
know or care.
These boys have worked hard and
played hard to earn the right and the
honor to play, yet have had no local
support. The Northwest Bakersfield
team (Pacific Southwest in the league
listings) went 4-0 until losing in semi-
finals.
Yet there were no announcements
or stories, no support of any kind from
home, even when they were two
games away from playing in the World
Series.
Shame on Bakersfield’s public, local
officials and the local media who have
ignored a great story and/or the
chance to support some very deserv-
ing young men.
In today’s society, when bad news is
usually the only news you hear, it
would be great for Bakersfield to know
that we do have good things happen-
ing and have the opportunity to sup-
port those individuals.
— Kellie Salmon

Jenner:Here’s what we published:
• Tuesday, Aug. 5 — A team picture
and 10-inch preview story.
• Wednesday, Aug. 13 — “NW
clinches spot in Ripken semifinal,” a
recap of the first 3 days, Page C5.
• Thursday, Aug. 14 — “NW All-Stars
finish perfect in pool play,” Page D6.
• Friday, Aug. 15 — “Northwest elim-
inated,” Page E8.
These stories were produced by
staffer Ron Stapp by gathering info
from the Web.
The team opted to not call us with
highlights even though we told them
beforehand we’d put stories in the
paper if they did so.
Ihope this helps reshape your feel-
ing that there were “no announce-
ments or stories”or that “bad news is
usually the only news you hear.”
■   ■   ■
Reader: The Lowrider Nationals
was a success as a car show and con-
cert; however, there was an unfortu-
nate incident near the close of the
Lowrider Nationals event on Aug. 3.
To the immense relief of all con-
cerned, car owners and clubs, fans,
staffers and organizers, things did not
go sideways. The trouble was isolated
and the event continued with the
presentation of awards, prizes and
trophies continuing until 8 p.m.
We are deeply saddened that Mr.
Aguilar was injured and we are reach-
ing out to him and his family. We also
express our deepest regrets to the fans
that were put in harm’s way by a few
unruly patrons.
There is no excuse, nor should there
be any tolerance, for this behavior at a
fan-friendly event that attracts fami-
lies and folks from all walks of life.
The organizers will not tolerate this
type of behavior and will make every
effort to ensure that the safety of the
attendees and competitors is first and
foremost.
We thank the sheriff and police
departments for their quick response
and peaceful approach to the situa-
tion. Thanks also to the Kern County
Fairgrounds management for their
diligence and assistance in keeping
everyone safe. Additionally, we thank
the security company for their efforts
to keep things calm.
We apologize directly to those who
have been hurt. The event seeks to
provide a platform for individual car
builders, owners, car and bike clubs
and sports enthusiasts to showcase
their creativity and artistry. The
event’s producers uphold the car
clubs’ principles of leadership, sports-
manship and the spirit of community.
We feel it is necessary to explain fur-
ther in order to properly put this inci-
dent in context.
1. The show was NOT completely
shut down. The awards and prizes
presentation continued until 8 p.m.
Over 300 trophies and $30,000 in
prizes were presented.
2. The trouble was isolated and
most of the fans watching the concert
were unaware of the incident.
4. Reports of large fights were incor-
rect.
3. Organizers were on the stage and
on the grounds and were NOT con-
tacted by any media outlet for com-
ment. As of this message, any media
representative has not contacted us.
4. All performers performed.
5. Next year’s event is scheduled for
Aug. 9, 2009.
— Oralia Michel

Jenner: We didn’t report any large
fights. While awards indeed were pre-
sented after the incident, deputies did
take the stage and announce that they
were shutting down the event.
We did not overplay the news about
the stabbing and the response. We ran
two stories in the Aug. 4 edition, and
the stories and photos on the event
dominated the short piece we did on
the stabbing.
■   ■   ■
Reader: Regarding the Aug. 16 story
reporting the death of Bakersfield
Christian High School player Patrick
Allen, why was the last paragraph of
that story published?
This is a news story. I want facts,
even if the facts are, “They don’t know
exactly what (the cause of death) was”
— a quote from Derik Washington.
But you go on to print a quote from
an anonymous source from a Web
site, “For the record, it wasn’t ‘heat
stroke’ but that may have been a trig-
ger that led to further problems.” It
goes on to say things like “I’m not
sure” and “I heard.” Wow. What is pre-
sented as on the record is nothing but
total speculation, rumor, hearsay. Is
this person a doctor? Can you identify
him/her? What authority does the
person have that would lead you to
quote him “for the record?”
Give me facts in the news article and
leave the anonymous postings to
other sections, please.
In my opinion, you missed it this
time, guys.
— Brian K. Wohlgemuth

Jenner: I agree.
The staffers who put that story
together were working under extreme
deadline conditions and were strug-
gling to include context in the story.
But we shouldn’t have relied on an
anonymous blog post for a medical
opinion.
■   ■   ■
Reader: “Tails of Bakersfield”is a
great idea for a fundraiser for the
S.P.C.A. Kudos to The Californianfor
contributing the cost to print the pic-
tures of our precious pets.
I’m sending in my second picture of
my Australian shepherd today. Keep
’em coming, Bakersfield.
— Patsy Sadler
■   ■   ■
Reader: I have been looking at the
paper and various news reports about
the participating countries and the
Olympics. I looked in the Sports sec-
tion and found the section where “all”
the countries that participated
showed the medals they won. 
Where is tiny Israel? Why don’t we
show the medals they won? What is it
about us that has the disgust not to
show “all” the winning countries. 
This nation that is founded on the
principles of freedoms of everything
can’t publish the winnings of a coun-
try that is beloved by some and espe-
cially God?
What am I missing and why doesn’t
this local newspaper publish that?
— Bruce Neal

Jenner: The omission of that medal
in Thursday’s Sports section had
nothing to do with God’s love for Israel
and everything to do with deadlines.
Shahar Zubari won Israel’s only
Olympic medal in the early morning
hours Thursday, well past our 11:25
p.m. press deadline.
The medal has been included in
subsequent listings.
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